Faster App starts (Windows XP)

Topic

New Reply

Hello everyone:

Can someone tell me if the following will cause a problem to my operating systems, please see the following:

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlSessionManagerMemory ManagementPrefetchParameters, in the registry and adjust EnablePrefetcher from 3 to 5. This simple tweak will speed up the start times of the applications.

Thanks

dillon

Reply | Quote

Replies

Dillon,
I’m not a big fan of Windows Prefetch and I don’t really think you will see any significant speedup with that hack.
I would delete the entire contents of the WINprefetch folder ( not the folder, just the contents ) Then use a utility like bootvis.exe to set the prefetch for boot fetch only. Clean & Green!
You can get bootvis here at bootvis

Bob

Reply | Quote

Hello Viking33:

I don’t understand, I thought that it was just another important folder, and not a hack. Why would microsoft place a hack in the registry. Please excuse my ignorance, as I am not a techi, but I have an enormous fetish for keeping my computer fast and clean.

I would consider using a third party software, such as the one that you recommend as some kind of hack; please feel free to correct my statement.

Best regards,

dillon

Reply | Quote

Dillon,
I think you are confusing the term “hack” with something else. In the context stated, a hack is the change in the registry made to improve or expand on the orginal intent of Microsoft. ( which was to be all, to all for it’s users.) Registry hacks or changes are most times big improvements over the default values.

The utility bootvis.exe is NOT a third party program, but one offerred by MS to improve boot time.
————————————————-
BootVis.exe Tool: Customer research shows a frequently requested feature that users want from their PCs is fast system startup, whether from cold boot or when resuming from standby or hibernation. The Windows development team at Microsoft has taken bold steps in making fast startup PCs a reality with the Microsoft

Reply | Quote

Dillon,
I think you are confusing the term “hack” with something else. In the context stated, a hack is the change in the registry made to improve or expand on the orginal intent of Microsoft. ( which was to be all, to all for it’s users.) Registry hacks or changes are most times big improvements over the default values.

The utility bootvis.exe is NOT a third party program, but one offerred by MS to improve boot time.
————————————————-
BootVis.exe Tool: Customer research shows a frequently requested feature that users want from their PCs is fast system startup, whether from cold boot or when resuming from standby or hibernation. The Windows development team at Microsoft has taken bold steps in making fast startup PCs a reality with the Microsoft

Reply | Quote

Hello Viking33:

I don’t understand, I thought that it was just another important folder, and not a hack. Why would microsoft place a hack in the registry. Please excuse my ignorance, as I am not a techi, but I have an enormous fetish for keeping my computer fast and clean.

I would consider using a third party software, such as the one that you recommend as some kind of hack; please feel free to correct my statement.

Best regards,

dillon

Reply | Quote

Hello Cowboydawg:

Thank you for the link to the download. Question, should I go back and reverse the change from 3 to 5 that I made in the PrefectsParameter, before I download the Mirror 1. When I make the initial download for the Mirror 1 were should I safe the actual download, eg programs?

Prefetching boot files and applications decreases the time needed to start Windows XP and start applications.” This information is logged and stored on your hard drive taking up space and requiring a process to be kept running monitoring which applications are being run. This has a performance impact on your PC.Prefetching boot files and applications decreases the time needed to start Windows XP and start applications.” This information is logged and stored on your hard drive taking up space and requiring a process to be kept running monitoring which applications are being run. This has a performance impact on your PC.

Cowboydawg, I do not understand the second part, regarding disabling the Prefetch, it was already enabled, because it had a value of 3, and I changed it to a value of 5, can you explain this to me please. So sorry for my lack of knowledge.

(2nd Part) Disabling the Prefetch function or at least only enabling it for the Boot Files will allow you to free up some system resources and preserve some disk space.

Thanks

Dillon

Reply | Quote

Hello Cowboydawg:

Thank you for the link to the download. Question, should I go back and reverse the change from 3 to 5 that I made in the PrefectsParameter, before I download the Mirror 1. When I make the initial download for the Mirror 1 were should I safe the actual download, eg programs?

Prefetching boot files and applications decreases the time needed to start Windows XP and start applications.” This information is logged and stored on your hard drive taking up space and requiring a process to be kept running monitoring which applications are being run. This has a performance impact on your PC.Prefetching boot files and applications decreases the time needed to start Windows XP and start applications.” This information is logged and stored on your hard drive taking up space and requiring a process to be kept running monitoring which applications are being run. This has a performance impact on your PC.

Cowboydawg, I do not understand the second part, regarding disabling the Prefetch, it was already enabled, because it had a value of 3, and I changed it to a value of 5, can you explain this to me please. So sorry for my lack of knowledge.

(2nd Part) Disabling the Prefetch function or at least only enabling it for the Boot Files will allow you to free up some system resources and preserve some disk space.

Thanks

Dillon

Reply | Quote

Dilon–

A number of Pre-fetcher key tweaks abound on different sites. And as Bob says there are a number of regedits that are designed to speed things. I’ll put some up later. The most important things you can do that are neglected by people all the time who want “clean” fast machines is to defrag in real time or daily with one of the better defraggers like Perfect Disk or Executive Soft’s Diskeeper; turn off indexing in Search unless you have special needs for it will speed things.

Where did this particular regedit with the “5” value come from? And if you want to know if you’re going to have a problem with a regedit–simply do the reflex thing–back up the old one. Export that key before you make the change, and if you don’t like the differernce for any reason you can always go back to the original.

Ed. by SMBP: I meant to mention in addition to the speed kick regular defragging (and it’s not going to take long at all if you do it every or every other day–I mean a couple minutes) running Ad Aware with the updated reference file and Spybot once a week will pay off as ubiquitous as malware, spyware, BHO’s that can slow you down or freeze you up are.[/size]

SMBP

Reply | Quote

I’m not sure where I found this, but I have seen the prefetch enabler set to either 1 or 5 (from 3) and IIRC the tweak serves to speed up the boot-up time more than the time to open up applications, by changing the time taken for the prefetch to, well, pre fetch. Don’t have a clue how it works. I do know that my computer (XP home sp1) boots faster with it set to 5 than it did with it set to 3.

fwiw,
kip

Reply | Quote

I’m not sure where I found this, but I have seen the prefetch enabler set to either 1 or 5 (from 3) and IIRC the tweak serves to speed up the boot-up time more than the time to open up applications, by changing the time taken for the prefetch to, well, pre fetch. Don’t have a clue how it works. I do know that my computer (XP home sp1) boots faster with it set to 5 than it did with it set to 3.

fwiw,
kip

Reply | Quote

Dilon–

A number of Pre-fetcher key tweaks abound on different sites. And as Bob says there are a number of regedits that are designed to speed things. I’ll put some up later. The most important things you can do that are neglected by people all the time who want “clean” fast machines is to defrag in real time or daily with one of the better defraggers like Perfect Disk or Executive Soft’s Diskeeper; turn off indexing in Search unless you have special needs for it will speed things.

Where did this particular regedit with the “5” value come from? And if you want to know if you’re going to have a problem with a regedit–simply do the reflex thing–back up the old one. Export that key before you make the change, and if you don’t like the differernce for any reason you can always go back to the original.

Ed. by SMBP: I meant to mention in addition to the speed kick regular defragging (and it’s not going to take long at all if you do it every or every other day–I mean a couple minutes) running Ad Aware with the updated reference file and Spybot once a week will pay off as ubiquitous as malware, spyware, BHO’s that can slow you down or freeze you up are.[/size]

SMBP

Reply | Quote

Hello Viking33,SMBP,Cowboydawg,JKIPK:

SMBP: you wrote the following:
I meant to mention in addition to the speed kick regular defragging (and it’s not going to take long at all if you do it every or every other day–I mean a couple minutes) running Ad Aware with the updated reference file and Spybot once a week will pay off as ubiquitous as malware, spyware, BHO’s that can slow you down or freeze you up are.

Concerning Ad-ware I have a copy from the mag, I received from England, and I remembered what you said about making sure that the software is the current version, and not to take the actual software from the DVD. One problem Ad-ware actually makes your system slow, and there is a major problem when you need to delete the software. Please feel free to correct me, If I am wrong.

SMBP, I do plan to purchase Diskeeper, at the moment I am using the basic one that comes with Win XP, and yes I run the defrag daily. I must admit I am getting a bit confused with all these tweaks Programs, I do like to manually tweak, this way one has the understanding and first hand knowledge. Such as the difference between HKEY_Local_Machine and HKEY_Current_User.

Also I received the instructions from the Official XP Mag, and the instructions I copied from the actual information, I did noticed that the apps did run faster, but the initial start up for Win XP was slow, so I changed the values back.

Cowboydawg, thank you for the self explanatory information about the download folder, thinking back it makes perfect sense, I will most likely adopt your principal rule of thumb.

JKIPK: I am glad to know that I am not the only one who has plunged into the world of tweaking the registry from a manual level, thanks for helping me out.

Best regards, to all

Dillon

Reply | Quote

Dilon–

A lot of magazines, particularly many of the ones from the UK the XP magazine from the UK have tools and tweakers. A lot of them are free on the web, and some of them may be older versions.

Its a misconception that having Ad Aware on your machine is going to have any part in the equation to slow it down. On the contrary, AdAware is very good at removing malware, spyware, hijackers, unstable BHO’s that will slow your machine down. My machine is always fast unless something happens to slow it and that something is not AdAware.

You will be happy with a good defrag. I have Diskeeper–but I know Cowboydawg, Bruce and Elaine switched to Perfect Disk and like it better. I really appreciate the performance hit I get from Diskeeper–it has updates–I use Build 430 7.0, but now there’s 8.0 and you can try the full version free from their site for 30 days. If you click here Sneak Preview Try Diskeeper 8.0 30 days you have it.

There are a lot of XP Tweakers–many on the lounge, and just google or search engine for them. Some overlap. I don’t know that I make careful distinctions on words but most all of these tweakers modify, regedit, reghack, tweak, or change– a registry key or subkey or values.

Let me Recommend Three Things You’ll Have a Very Good Time With[/u]

1) Jerry Honeycutt’s Windows XP Registry Guide–best price may be here
Windows XP Registry Guide by Jerry Honeycutt–Index and Sample Chapter Click on Right

2)Winguides.com a site that has a number of free reg modifications, has Tweak Manager 2.1 has around 1000 registry edits that will allow you to spend a while modifying and tweaking and editing and maybe reg hacking.

3) They also offer Registry Mechanic and have a free version you can download as trial ware.

The creator is very concientious, loves to come up with new regedits, and he knows his registry and Windows XP from the land down under.

One of the best discussions of Prefetch and tweaking it is at Kelly’s Windows XP From A to Z under “P” Prefetch–one of 15 sections from her great site Kelly’s Korner Troubleshooting Windows XP.

You could also hang in one of hundreds of Tweak XP newsgroups or Beta groups on the web–msn has a Customize (tweak) XP group–most easily read throug Outlook Express’s newsreader–one of their 26 XP newsgropus where you can pick up a lot of good sites and regedits, scripts, and cool tips and tricks.

SMBP

Reply | Quote

Hello SMBP:

You are always so thoughtful, much appreciated. I will take a look at those sites I am extremely interested now, never thought I would be so interested in the registry. I will get back to you, upon reading all of the excellent information links, that you have provided for me.

Best regards,

dillon

Reply | Quote

A Way To Clear Prefetch Automatically on Shutdown for Windows XP Pro

This tweak isn’t going to work with Home, because Home doesn’t come with the Group Policy Editor or the Microsoft Management Console.

SMBP

Reply | Quote

A Way To Clear Prefetch Automatically on Shutdown for Windows XP Pro

This tweak isn’t going to work with Home, because Home doesn’t come with the Group Policy Editor or the Microsoft Management Console.

SMBP

Reply | Quote

Hello SMBP:

You are always so thoughtful, much appreciated. I will take a look at those sites I am extremely interested now, never thought I would be so interested in the registry. I will get back to you, upon reading all of the excellent information links, that you have provided for me.

Best regards,

dillon

Reply | Quote

Dilon–

A lot of magazines, particularly many of the ones from the UK the XP magazine from the UK have tools and tweakers. A lot of them are free on the web, and some of them may be older versions.

Its a misconception that having Ad Aware on your machine is going to have any part in the equation to slow it down. On the contrary, AdAware is very good at removing malware, spyware, hijackers, unstable BHO’s that will slow your machine down. My machine is always fast unless something happens to slow it and that something is not AdAware.

You will be happy with a good defrag. I have Diskeeper–but I know Cowboydawg, Bruce and Elaine switched to Perfect Disk and like it better. I really appreciate the performance hit I get from Diskeeper–it has updates–I use Build 430 7.0, but now there’s 8.0 and you can try the full version free from their site for 30 days. If you click here Sneak Preview Try Diskeeper 8.0 30 days you have it.

There are a lot of XP Tweakers–many on the lounge, and just google or search engine for them. Some overlap. I don’t know that I make careful distinctions on words but most all of these tweakers modify, regedit, reghack, tweak, or change– a registry key or subkey or values.

Let me Recommend Three Things You’ll Have a Very Good Time With[/u]

1) Jerry Honeycutt’s Windows XP Registry Guide–best price may be here
Windows XP Registry Guide by Jerry Honeycutt–Index and Sample Chapter Click on Right

2)Winguides.com a site that has a number of free reg modifications, has Tweak Manager 2.1 has around 1000 registry edits that will allow you to spend a while modifying and tweaking and editing and maybe reg hacking.

3) They also offer Registry Mechanic and have a free version you can download as trial ware.

The creator is very concientious, loves to come up with new regedits, and he knows his registry and Windows XP from the land down under.

One of the best discussions of Prefetch and tweaking it is at Kelly’s Windows XP From A to Z under “P” Prefetch–one of 15 sections from her great site Kelly’s Korner Troubleshooting Windows XP.

You could also hang in one of hundreds of Tweak XP newsgroups or Beta groups on the web–msn has a Customize (tweak) XP group–most easily read throug Outlook Express’s newsreader–one of their 26 XP newsgropus where you can pick up a lot of good sites and regedits, scripts, and cool tips and tricks.

SMBP

Reply | Quote

Hello Viking33,SMBP,Cowboydawg,JKIPK:

SMBP: you wrote the following:
I meant to mention in addition to the speed kick regular defragging (and it’s not going to take long at all if you do it every or every other day–I mean a couple minutes) running Ad Aware with the updated reference file and Spybot once a week will pay off as ubiquitous as malware, spyware, BHO’s that can slow you down or freeze you up are.

Concerning Ad-ware I have a copy from the mag, I received from England, and I remembered what you said about making sure that the software is the current version, and not to take the actual software from the DVD. One problem Ad-ware actually makes your system slow, and there is a major problem when you need to delete the software. Please feel free to correct me, If I am wrong.

SMBP, I do plan to purchase Diskeeper, at the moment I am using the basic one that comes with Win XP, and yes I run the defrag daily. I must admit I am getting a bit confused with all these tweaks Programs, I do like to manually tweak, this way one has the understanding and first hand knowledge. Such as the difference between HKEY_Local_Machine and HKEY_Current_User.

Also I received the instructions from the Official XP Mag, and the instructions I copied from the actual information, I did noticed that the apps did run faster, but the initial start up for Win XP was slow, so I changed the values back.

Cowboydawg, thank you for the self explanatory information about the download folder, thinking back it makes perfect sense, I will most likely adopt your principal rule of thumb.

JKIPK: I am glad to know that I am not the only one who has plunged into the world of tweaking the registry from a manual level, thanks for helping me out.

Best regards, to all

Dillon

Reply | Quote

Hello Cowboydawg:

Cowboydawg, do I need to activate the Windows XP Prefetch on a weekly basis, or does it just run on its own?

I will try to install Ad-ware again and see what happens, I have a small software called regvac, that cleans out the registry when I activate the software, would this be a problem with Ad-Ware.

I will purchase the Diskeeper online thanks a million Cowboydawg.

Reply | Quote

Be very careful with the regcleaners. Some are good; some have made people sorry. Make sure you always backup by exporting a registry key that you’re going to modify.

Backing up the Registry When You Edit[/u]

Used to be two versions–now in XP there is just Regeditor 5.1. Before you could run one of them, regedit32 in read-only mode–means you have to be even more careful. Read this link over a few times and make sure you do a suitable backup every time you do this. Setting a system restore point as an anxillary backup is not a bad idea either.

Backing up and Restoring the Win XP Registry

Take a look at the Prefetch link above. Good info there.

SMBP

Reply | Quote

Be very careful with the regcleaners. Some are good; some have made people sorry. Make sure you always backup by exporting a registry key that you’re going to modify.

Backing up the Registry When You Edit[/u]

Used to be two versions–now in XP there is just Regeditor 5.1. Before you could run one of them, regedit32 in read-only mode–means you have to be even more careful. Read this link over a few times and make sure you do a suitable backup every time you do this. Setting a system restore point as an anxillary backup is not a bad idea either.

Backing up and Restoring the Win XP Registry

Take a look at the Prefetch link above. Good info there.

SMBP

Reply | Quote

Hello Cowboydawg:

Cowboydawg, do I need to activate the Windows XP Prefetch on a weekly basis, or does it just run on its own?

I will try to install Ad-ware again and see what happens, I have a small software called regvac, that cleans out the registry when I activate the software, would this be a problem with Ad-Ware.

I will purchase the Diskeeper online thanks a million Cowboydawg.

Reply | Quote